By Adama Makasuba
Officials of Gambia airport have backed the government US$20 levy on air travellers.
Speaking to GRTS, Fabakary Kalleh, said: “we don’t have so much flights coming and we relied on collections from passengers landing fees. So, it has affected our revenue base.”
Mr Kalleh added that since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic hits The Gambia in March, “the airspace is closed so we only having evacuation flights.”
“When you pay to travel, in the air ticket there are several levies you pay but they’re included in the tickets,” he revealed.
“Well if you fail to do so you will not be able to enrol because that payment helps in the enrolment process. So, if you cannot be enrolled it means the Immigration services will go through them so that eventually means you cannot travel,” he added.
However, the new levy sparks growing anger among Gambians both home and abroad, many of whom described the levy as corruption.